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World Baseball Classic shatters attendance records

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Press Release |

With the Championship Round in San Francisco yet to begin, the World Baseball Classic is already on the verge of recording the largest attendance in its history. Record crowds for the second round games at Marlins Park in Miami and the Tokyo Dome in Japan have lifted the tournament's total attendance to 788,299. By comparison, the 2009 tournament drew 659,554 fans through the end of the second round and a total record of 801,410 overall. The second round games in Miami and Tokyo totaled 325,282 fans, a 58% increase over the 206,180 fans that attended second round games in 2009.

With the goal of growing the sport around the world, the tournament has expanded to feature 28 countries playing first and second round games and qualifiers in six countries and territories on three continents.

In Miami, a raucous crowd of 34,366 fans packed Marlins Park for the Dominican Republic vs. USA game on March 14th, the fourth-largest crowd ever at Marlins Park. Overall, 154,624 fans attended the six games at Marlins Park this week, a record for a World Baseball Classic pool in the city and 35% more than the previous record in 2009 at Dolphin Stadium (114,397).

Crowds at the Tokyo Dome peaked with Game 2 of Pool 1 on March 8th, with 43,527 fans watching Japan rally from behind to beat Chinese Taipei in extra innings. Overall, the six second round games in Tokyo drew 170,658 fans, also exceeding the previous record for a World Baseball Classic pool at the venue.

Individual tickets for all three games in San Francisco can be purchased at worldbaseballclassic.com or by calling 877-4SFGTIX. Tickets can also be purchased at any Giants Dugout store or the ballpark. Ticket strips are available for all three games for as low as $99. Windows are open at AT&T Park from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. everyday throughout the tournament. All games will be televised on MLB Network and ESPN Deportes.